If they really were concerned about helping the police track stolen goods, why not just keep those convicted of theft in prison longer? Because that would increase tax expenditures on prisons and this is a tax revenue enhancement move.

Note the exemption for pawn shops that have a pretty good lobby in place (campaign contributions) and a history of cooperating with local authorities.

Why not require that restaurant tips can only be transacted electronically and not in cash?

The neighborhood kids who mow your lawn or babysit will have to swipe your card on their cell phones in a few years.

As crazy as this is, expect support from public employees who will back any revenue increasing action before they agree to managed health care or moving away from defined payout pensions. Ironically, many private sector working-class people have been forced to second-hand sellers to stay afloat.

A flat tax nationally, and state sales tax vs. income tax would capture much of the underground economy that bypasses taxes, but those methods are viewed as anti-business. There is also online tax that keeps getting postponed. This Louisiana law targets the least politically organized. Take it from the bankers and unions - the more organized you are, the less you will be messed with.

There is no way this would survive a constitutional challenge by anyone from out-of-state trying to sell a used item in Louisiana, because it interferes with interstate commerce. Per our Constitution, that is the prerogative of the Federal Government.

Maybe Congress could create a law like this, but individual states definitely cannot.

In addition, the U.S. Constitution has a Coinage clause. I am fairly sure this kind of law violates it.